Recipes from Suzie the Foodie http://suziethefoodie.blogspot.com

Latvian Cooking’s Best Bean Soup

Ingredients 1 smoked pork hock or smoked pork, about 2 lbs 1 lb small navy beans, presoaked 1 large carrot, diced 1 onion, whole (I diced it) 1/2 cup barley (I used pearl) 1 large bay leaf fresh ground pepper salt, to taste 2-3 potatoes, peeled and diced water, as needed Instructions Wash beans well and soak overnight (I precooked mine and it worked out fine). Add beans and all other ingredients except potatoes. Cover with water. Bring to a boil then turn down heat. Simmer for 1 hour and 40 minutes. Add potatoes and cook for an additional 20 minutes. Check salt and add water when necessary. Removed ham hock and cut off meat and add to soup in small pieces. Remove onion and bay leave. Serve with dark rye bread, buttered with sweet butter. “This is a complete meal.”